In Iowa we are fortunate to have a great senator, Tom Harkin, who helped write and pass into law the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act. And we are lucky to have another champion of disability rights here in Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District: Dave Loebsack.

Loebsack has fought in Washington to prevent attempts to erode the ADA. He believes that everyone deserves a shot at a meaningful job, a good education, and the choice of living in his or her own community rather than in an institution.

Having a mother who struggled with mental illness, Loebsack understands how important community supports and services are to a family dealing with disabilities. Maybe that’s why he participates every year in Iowa City’s walk to raise money for NAMI (National Association for Mental Illness). He is a member of the Brain Injury Caucus in Congress, and this year he was awarded Arc of Southeast Iowa’s ADA Guardian Award for 2012.

As a person living with a disability, I will vote for Loebsack.

The Rev. Diana Coberly

North Liberty